Governments are central for successful postal services: UPU head

Governments are central for the successful operations of postal services around the world, says the new head of the Universal Postal Union (UPU).

Bishar Hussein, a national of Kenya, took over the leadership of the UPU in Berne, Switzerland on Wednesday.

Mr. Hussein says he is committed to strengthening the global postal network by ensuring that all countries, from industrialized countries to developing ones and small island states, are fully integrated into the postal community.

He stresses the important role of governments in the provision of postal services.

"Governments are very central. I have run an organization and I understand the impediments that can be placed in the way of an organization if the government is not on board. Sometimes they don't understand the postal business. It is the responsibility of the executives in those countries to be able to engage the governments because the governments set the policies. They are the one who appoints the boards. They are the ones who appoint the management. So if they don't understand the business, then sometimes they can be an impediment. So my advice or my priority will be first of all to make the governments part of the business themselves of the postal business." (Duration: 29")

Mr. Hussein is the first Director General of the UPU from sub-Saharan Africa.

He has assured member countries that he would work with all stakeholders to implement the four-year roadmap adopted at the Universal Postal Congress held in Doha, Qatar at the end of 2012.